I'm bilateral & do not go out often. It is usually to pay my respects when a family member or friend passes. I find that with smelling the flowers and all the noise I can barely stand. When I have to go to dentist or for medical test, especially if I have to lie down, I have the same problem. I literally hold to the walls for balance. With tinnitus in both ears I find it hard to hear which adds to the stress. My anxiety level is very high & I feel people think I must be drunk. Even taking Ativan before going out doesn't help my balance. How do you all manage these problems? Thanks for your help.
You sound much like me.... so much so if I was told I had posted your message I would believe it.... As for managing I came (very very slowly) to accept that it is the way it is for me (although I do want to try antivirals at some stage soon....I have made the first approach to my GP with the paperwork for him to read) & these days I no longer get as anxious as I used to when I "have to go out" (anxiety is bad for us) I know, in the back of my mind, that mind over matter 99.9% works in these situations & the chances of me having an attack when I am out is very very low.
Nice post above!!! I will not let this disease control my life, I had one lady already and if I had too I would get another one in a New York minute and use a chochlear implant to hear. If needed I would use a Cane, walking stick or wheelchair for mobility I simply will not be tied to a house. I am determined to live my life on my terms. I can't control what will happen but I can't imagine nothing worse than vertigo. If I need a wheelchair to get my freedom and life back or a cochlear implant to hear than I accept that. Don't let mm control your life !!!! God bless
I was exactly where you both are. Someone told me to try to walk outside a little bit everyday, even if it's to the mailbox or the corner. That helps you regain balance and I used a cane for awhile. I isolated myself for 2 years. Looking back one day I realized that my life was passing me by and I wasn't being a good mother and wife. My "friends" had long since stopped bothering, too. The antivirals helped me immensely although I do have minor setbacks, stress related. I take Klonipin in the morning for stress and anxiety. I get that from a Psychiatrist who has also helped me pull myself back up. It's OKAY if you can't attend functions, or make allowances such as going in and getting out. This is a disease that most people have never heard of so they cannot process our symptoms, especially when we look "okay." Do NOT let the opinions of others impede your ability to re-establish your life, but take it slow. One day at a time and by pushing yourself just a little further everyday. Try to remember how good it feels just to be outside. Just breathe. Don't let Menieres take away your life because some day you'll look back and have regrets. No need for that when there are options out there to treat symptoms. PhilMac, good luck with getting the antivirals. If you get them please remember for some it takes a few months to kick in when for others it only takes weeks. Antivirals have me back my life...and a lot of determination. Good Luck to you both and I hope that as you research this site you are filled with hope. Just knowing everyone here has experienced what you're going through and understands was a lifeline for me.
People who have managed to find their solution either by chance, determination or by following somebody else's success story generally, quite naturally champion what has worked for them. I am no different. We know that what works for one person may not work for another, but if sufferers have not given food and drink trigger avoidance a go, i urge them to give it a try. Using the walls to walk, not going out and shrinking from the person I once was, was how I would describe myself gradually from 2005 to 2009. After trying betahistine and the equivalent of ativan (both helped), JOH which helped minimally, NUCCA which didn't help at all and diuretics with the same result, I turned to food and drink trigger avoidance. I followed the success that Burd and Jordan had and wonderfully it worked for me. Burd suggested buying "Heal your headache " by David Buchholz. That book is now my bible. I have been well since 2009. All I have is the loss of hearing in my left ear. I will settle for that over vertigo, vomiting and being bed ridden too often. If anybody were to try this approach I would suggest first of all buy the book and secondly take time over the process. Start from scratch and adopt adding an item of food every few days and pinpoint triggers through trial and error. Wishing everybody well.
Thanks to everyone for your support. I keep trying. I do continue to walk outside when there is bright sunshine, the light helps my balance. I hate riding in a car it causes my worst anxiety. I will try using a cane. Best wishes to you all!
verti, the symtpoms you mentioned sound like classic MAV, I am not saying you don't have MM too and being bilateral must be so life altering, and so sorry to hear how hard this has been for you. but I suggest you look into MAV too, avoid MAV food triggers, if that doesn't help try a migraine medication. Sound, smell and motion sensitivities are symptoms of MAV and for us who have both MM and MAV the lines can get blurred between the two.
I suggest you speak with your doctor about Clonazepam (the generic form of Klonopin) to help control your anxiety. Everyone is different, of course, but I get significant relief from my anxiety with it. Others use Valium -- I've never tried it so I can't comment on that. My tinnitus has lessened since starting Betahistine -- see if your doctor thinks that might work for you. If so, you will need to get that at a compounding pharmacy. My insurance will not cover Betahistine since it's not approved by the FDA, but the out-of-pocket cost to me (about $95 per month) is well worth it to me. I also benefit from a low sodium diet. Best of luck to you.
I also allowed this disease take over my life for two years. My symptoms are almost identical to yours. My anxiety was out of control. I still work but would rush to and from in a panic that I would have a vertigo attack, shopping almost ceased and my life was put on hold. Soon the panic attacks began and increased over time, often found myself crying for no reason. I did give in and go to the MD in tears begging for help. I was referred to a cognitive behavior specialist who I still see and she has helped me greatly. I do not take any medications for anxiety but have some handy if I need them. And yes I know there is worse things to have but this did not help me at all. I still have my moments of course but they r less and it is true we cannot let this rob us of our life. God bless you and I suggest u get out there and get help with your anxiety.
Klonipin was given to me when I was having panic attacks. It reduces stress and anxiety and I not longer have panic attacks. I have a very high stress level so I take one a day as a Maintenon dose but I can take two a day if necessary.